Immuno-Oncology

The rapidly changing field of immuno-oncology has begun to show great potential to revolutionize cancer treatment. To support the advancement of immuno-oncology diagnostics and treatment in the laboratory, ASCP is committed to developing education designed to:

1.

Enhance general knowledge and skills related to immuno-oncology among pathologists and laboratory professionals;

2.

Support the implementation and dissemination of best practices in immuno-oncology testing, treatment options, and communication in multidisciplinary teams to improve quality of care; and

3.

Increase awareness of new developments in the rapidly changing field of immuno-oncology.

Interested in supporting
ASCP's Immuno-Oncology
Educational Strategy?

ASCP is committed to seeking funding to support the development of education mapped to its comprehensive immuno-oncology strategy. To discuss potential sponsorship opportunities, please contact grants@ascp.org.

Free Education Opportunities

An Overview of Immuno-Oncology

This case-based online course will provide an overview of immuno-oncology addressing: introduction to immune biomarkers, checkpoints, pathways (such as PD-1/PD-L1, PD-L2, and CTLA4), and their roles in cancer treatment; the current scope of immune-based cancer therapy and why it is important; how immuno-oncology affects the field of pathology, and why oncologists and patients are asking for immuno-oncology tests; an overview of currently available immuno-oncology therapies; and current efforts to identify other potential biomarkers of response to cancer immunotherapies, such as tumor mutational burden, microsatellite instability, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. The activity is approved for 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, CMLE, or SAMs CME credit.

This case-based online course will discuss common immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in patients undergoing immunotherapy, addressing the following topics: irAEs onset and frequency; reporting of irAEs in pathology reports; coverage of hepatic, pancreatic, cutaneous, and cardiac irAEs and their management and outcomes; and detailed discussion of patterns of injury in the gut for gastrointestinal irAEs. The activity is approved for 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, CMLE, or SAMs CME credit.

Immuno-Oncology: Next-Generation Sequencing and the New Biomarker Landscape

This case based, interactive online course will allow pathologists and laboratory professionals, as well as oncologists and other members of the multidisciplinary cancer care team, to gain key scientific knowledge and skills in utilizing biomarkers, particularly next-generation sequencing for identifying tumor mutation burden, for testing and selection of appropriate IO therapies, to provide patients with a personalized approach during each stage of their treatment regimens. The activity is approved for 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, CMLE, or SAMs CME credit.

Understanding the Importance of Mismatch Repair Deficiency and Microsatellite Instability in Pathology

This module will discuss the basic biology of mismatch repair deficiency (MMRd) and microsatellite instability (MSI), emphasizing the application of these tests to tumor samples. These critical tests serve as the gateway for patients to receive immunotherapy for 12 different types of cancer. You will learn how the tests were developed, the types and limitations of these tests, and how are currently utilized. The activity is approved for 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, CMLE, or SAMs CME credit.

This case-based module will cover the basic concepts of immune-based therapy, including immunosurveillance and immunosuppression of the tumor micro-environment, along with general concepts of predictive biomarkers, cellular location, and reporting of PD-L1 expression in various cancer types. The advantages of immune checkpoint therapy and the types of patients who respond will also be addressed. The activity is approved for 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, CMLE, or SAMs CME credit.

This program will provide you with an understanding of the ways tumors can undergo mutational changes. You’ll walk away with an understanding of how NGS can detect different types of genomic targets in tumor specimens, how to recognize patterns of tumor mutations for monitoring clonal evolution and treatment response, and how to recognize mutational patterns associated with TMB, MSI, and homologous repair deficiency. The activity is approved for 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, CMLE, or SAMs CME credit.